SALEM, Mass. — Six Massachusetts communities impacted by the ongoing Teamsters-Republic Services strike plan to file a complaint in Salem Superior Court on Thursday morning, seeking relief from public health problems caused by the waste collection company’s “failure to adequately collect trash and recycling.”
Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill notified town residents of the plan on Wednesday night.
“We have also provided notice to Republic of Beverly’s intention to assess liquidated damages for trash and recycling not picked up and/or delayed in pickup and will withhold these amounts from our next scheduled payment,” Cahill stated.
Malden, Gloucester, Peabody, Canton, and Danvers are also named in the complaint.
“It is disappointing that these six communities have taken this route as we continue to work with our municipal partners to address their needs,” a Republic Services spokesperson said. “For example, yesterday, the City of Beverley stated on its website that ‘we continue to work closely with [Republic’s] current drivers, collectors, and supervisors, and Republic was able today to pick up most of the past week’s backlog of trash by the end of the day.’ A lawsuit merely distracts from the task at hand...We are reviewing the complaint and will respond in court.”
Since July 1, waste collection in 14 communities, mostly on the North Shore, has been disrupted after 450 Republic Services employees went on strike for better pay and health benefits.
The Massachusetts towns affected by the strike are:
- Peabody
- Manchester-by-the-Sea
- Gloucester
- Wakefield
- Marblehead
- Malden
- Beverly
- Danvers
- North Reading
- Lynnfield
- Swampscott
- Arlington
- Watertown
- Canton
Negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 Union resumed last Friday, but no agreement has been reached yet. On Tuesday, the two sides walked away from the bargaining table having made “little progress” on a deal to end the work stoppage.
Teamsters have been demanding better wages and benefits. They say Tuesday’s discussions lasted 12 hours, with Republic refusing to negotiate health insurance.
Republic Services communicated via email that they plan to meet with the Teamsters again tomorrow, expressing hope to reach an agreement.
The blame game has intensified in recent days, with Republic Services alleging “unlawful and dangerous conduct” by Teamsters.
While Republic Services claims its wage offer is higher than local competitors, Teamsters says the trash company has “continued to show its lack of credibility and good faith bargaining.”
The ongoing strike and delayed waste collection has now prompted Beverly and other affected communities to seek legal action, highlighting the urgency of resolving the dispute.
Cahill said “most of the past week’s backlog of trash” was picked up Wednesday, but Tuesday’s trash routes remained lined with filled garbage cans and recycling bins.
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